5 Eco Friendly Home Trends Everyone Must Try

Most of us want to be eco-friendly, but don’t quite know where to start. There is so much information out there, green advertisers competing for our attention, telling us to do what is right by buying their products. The truth is it doesn’t have to be complex. Here are five simple things you can do to make your home more environmentally friendly. Just make them a regular part of your routine and you will be making a difference. Of course, if you are building a new home and want to find out what eco-friendly home trends you can include in your design, talk to experts and/or do some research online at sites like http://www.coralhomes.com.au/ .
 

Let’s Look at Lights

LED lights use just a fraction of the electricity of other lights. While CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs use less electricity than regular light bulbs, LED lights are still a superior energy saving choice. LED lights provide excellent lighting without the electricity usage and are a really good green lighting option. And they make good financial sense. While they will cost a little more, around $20 to $50 each, they will last an average of six times longer than CFLs. As they do not contain mercury their disposal is also much safer and if they break there is no mercury hazard to deal with. Start small: next time you need a new light bulb choose an LED light; continue this practice until your whole house is lit with LED lighting.

 

Add a Water Filter to Your Kitchen Tap

This very simple addition will have a huge impact on the taste and quality of the water you drink from the tap. Instead of buying bottled water and creating more and more plastic waste, you can add a water filter to your tap and enjoy beautiful water without the expense and without the waste. Choose one that you can turn off so that you do not shorten the filter life by filtering water used for washing dishes.

 

Choose No VOC or Low VOC PaintVOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are actually solvents that are released into the atmosphere as paint , emitting toxic fumes. They can have serious effect on the body causing dizziness and headaches. Some VOC’s are even suspected of being carcinogenic. Traditional paints can carry these harmful chemicals, but innovations in the paint industry have seen manufacturers creating beautiful and durable paints without the VOCS. You don’t need to compromise on your safety or on quality.

 

Green Cleaners

Another simple way to make your home more eco-friendly is to switch to green cleaning products. Every time you run out of something choose its green counterpart when you go to the supermarket to replace it. This will help rid your home of chemicals that are harmful to you and also to the environment.

 

Use Organic Fertilisers in the Garden

Lastly, choose organic fertilisers for your garden. These will encourage your garden to grow without the negative impact on the environment. Organic fertilisers are readily available and easy to apply. Choose organic and make your garden safer and greener.

 

Do you have any eco-friendly trends that we haven’t mentioned? Leave your tips in the comments below.

Our Home is Listed in the Real Estate Market

After painting the exterior of the house, we have few days extra to de-clutter the inside of our house. We are so tired but, we have to pull ourselves together to get this done and listed. Last Friday, we sign the papers and the house was listed in the market that evening. One client look at the property the next day which is a good sign. Our things are in the garage jam-packed. Oh my goodness, LOL.

We left some furniture's for staging and all we did was de-clutter and clean good. I really hope that this property will be sold fast so we can really start looking for our new home as well. This is our third property and the other two are condos which we rented. We have no plans of living in a condo so; we are currently looking for a 3 bedroom/2bath home with a big yard. 

In less than two weeks, the side fence of the house will be fix and the next owner will be glad to have that fix. Our home is located in a corner lot and in a nice neighborhood. We will surely miss this house for sure.

Great Property in Mississippi

It is a nice house, don't you think? While doing some DIY fixes in our home, our realtor in Mississippi is also busy sending us updates of homes for sale. We wanted a big yard but, she sent us this property located in the ideal place that we want to live. No yard but, there's a good size pool. I remember this house because of the vacant lot at the back next to the road that hubby and I always took the route going home from work. The vacant lot was taken cared for all the time and this house is nice looking.

The house needs some TLC and the kitchen is out dated. The price is with in our budget but, if we can negotiate to lower it down a bit to cover the renovation, this property is truly a great investment. I truly love this property.

Photos of Birds

This is what I do when I'm bored. When I want to breathe a fresh air, I hang out in the gazebo and oh boy, birds hang out there too. They usually hang out frequently on the bird bath at the front yard. They go "swimming" and later on, they play with other birds on the top of the trees. They are so noisy!

I was just taking photos of insects and flowers in the backyard and then, I saw one bird watching me, curious on what I was doing.

The other bird just observing everything around , jumping to every direction.

The other partner hopped on the wire above the fence.

Each one of them occupied their territory. There was a woodpecker on the post nearby and they mind their own business.

Here is another bird on the next wire just observing peacefully.

I was taking pictures and they don't mind. They're not alarmed with my presence. Maybe they knew me by now. After all, I always make sure that the water in the bird bath are full everyday. When I re-fill the water, they jump right in.

10 Festive Table Settings for Thanksgiving

Advance Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Were you able to find some cool ideas regarding the table setting arrangement for Thanksgiving? Well, if you are still searching for it, I already gathered 10 festive table settings that I found on the net. Before I begin though, let us all be reminded why we celebrate Thanksgiving.

4 Fun Facts of Thanksgiving:

1. The first Thanksgiving Celebration goes back with the Pilgrims of Plymouth Massachusetts
2. 1621 Plymouth Thanksgiving is the birthplace of Thanksgiving holiday.
3. The First US President who declared Thanksgiving Day as a Holiday was Pres. Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
4. It was President Abraham Lincoln who declared that Thanksgiving Day will be celebrated every last Thursday of November.
5. We celebrate it to thank God for the blessings of good harvest and of the preceding year.

Now, depending on the number of guest that you have, you can always take an inspiration from any of these table setting arrangements.

Make the centerpiece filled with beautiful flowers and different shapes. Look around in your garden and in your chosen vase, fill it with blooms. With the sprig of fall, you can use them too to spread colors on the table.

This is the perfect time to use those beautiful dinnerware and tableware after all, your family and friends deserve the best during Thanksgiving.

You don't need to spend so much to make your table look as festive as these.

You can buy a dozen of gourds, splash different colors of flowers and add few candles. It will definitely make your Thanksgiving table as glorious as these.

For now, I am sure you already have ideas.

What do you think? Which of these are your inspiration?

Thanksgiving is an American Tradition. After all, thanksgiving is all about family.

All photos above are not mine. All credit goes to the photographer and owner of these amazing table setting arrangement photos..

9 Great Laundry Rooms

Stay at home moms and dads hurdle laundry every day especially when they have children. It is part of the daily chores that most parents tackle whether they like it or not. If you hate doing the laundry, what would be a nice solution that would make you appreciate it say, a notch higher? I have an idea while I Google laundry rooms.

Splurge a Laundry Room

We often times splurge the kitchen and bedroom so this time; why not splurge a laundry room? You spend time doing laundry anyway right? You wash the clothes, iron the dress shirt, fold some clothes and spending time in a laundry room can be stressful especially when it is not a pleasant space. A good size space is all you need.

Storage Space

How would you like to own this type of laundry room? What I love about this room is the storage area and there's tons of it. How would you like to store your curtains and draperies in here? If you use your bedroom closet for all of those then, this is a great idea that you should consider. Your clothes and shoes will be happy to get rid of the competition for sure (^-^)

Spacious

Oh well, why do you need this space at all for a laundry room? Let's say, you have a toddler and you want to do the laundry. Isn't this a great space for both of you? You can watch your child wanders the whole space and you can freely do your ironing or folding the clothes.

Spick and Span

It is always great to work in a space when it is spotless. It keeps your mind free from the negative thoughts. If your laundry room is clean, organize and tidy, doing laundry will never become a hateful chore anyway. This room somehow attracts good vibes because it is squeaky clean.

Add Some Earth Colors

If you like the shade of white, great! When you add an earth tone combination to it,  depth and elegance will likely define your space such as the laundry room above.

Lighting Fixtures

Each room in the house will shine when you add the right light fixtures. The shape, the textures, and the wall paint colors will glimmer depending how you choose to add the light fixtures. It will guide your eyes on which one is the focal point of the room and the laundry room is no exception. Besides, well lighted space is nice to hang out with so; add an appealing light fixture in your laundry room.

Have a Work Space to Unwind

Doing the laundry takes time so; instead of going in and out of the laundry room, why not have a space so you can work on your computer while waiting for your laundry? You can also use this space when you want to read a book while waiting for the dryer. When your child arrives home, they love to talk and show you their artwork, this is a great space to do just that too while you are doing the laundry.

Add Accessories

Last but not the least is adding accessories to make your laundry room attractive and functional. A laundry basket, glass jars where you can put some pins, loose buttons and coins. Photo frame of your family is a wonderful thing to add too.

I hope you will be inspired to splurge your space by these 9 great laundry rooms. Be inspired and have fun doing the laundry.

7 Functional Kitchen Storage Ideas

Are you tired of reminding yourself to shop for shelves, drawers and containers for storage? How about splurging your space to make a functional area? Actually, the size of your place doesn't matter. Have you seen the showroom in IKEA? A small space can be functional and no wasted place at all with planning. I was browsing the web to find a helpful idea in splurging your kitchen and look what I found, a storage solution.

A small space but, a lot of use. It would be awesome to have an organize space like this.

Now you have this perfect spicy rack idea.

If you are not fond of Lazy Susan, how about this? More storage that is funky.

I want this for sure to make my sink spic-and-span.

Another awesome idea to hide those hand towels, brush and hand soaps.

I love this idea for easy to find food items.

All you have to do now is some DIY. If you have no time, hire a carpenter and make sure he knows what you are talking about. If you have #IKEA in your area, chances are, you will find all these amazing storage materials.

Window Treatments

Window treatments can make a space attractive, cozy and can create a wonderful effect. If you chose the right fabric, pattern and color of the curtain then, it will certainly tie the whole room together. You can brighten up a room with patterns. If you are not afraid in using bold colors then, just play with it. It might give your space the appearance that you need. Bold colors can be toned down when you accessorized with lighter and neutral colors.

Bring in some neutral colors of throw pillows and rugs. If you have a higher ceiling, use drapery to get that sophisticated look. Oh, I got these ideas from watching HGTV shows. It works for me and I hope it will work for you too. Enjoy decorating your home.

Canvas Printing Company

Isn't it beautiful? The focal point of the photo is so peaceful and the color contrast is just beautiful. It could be dawn time or sunset. The beauty of nature is truly awesome! I love taking pictures of the skies, birds, beaches and mountains. This photo from Canvas Printing site is my most favorite. It would be awesome to have this in my room. The view is so serene and it truly sets up the mood.

I was thinking of buying it from this site. It gives me an idea of decorating one panel using the canvas art piece. Pretty unique and I bet, it will be an awesome corner to look at. Right now, the workers that we hired for Home Insulation is almost done. Much as we wanted to splurge our bedroom, we can only renovate one room at a time.

 

We have the office on priority because the insulation was truly bad.

How about you? Do you have problems with your insulation at home? If you did, you should hire a reputable company and address the problem now. Winter is fast approaching and you don't want to feel uncomfortable in summer time right?

Anyway, if you are in need of a company that provides Sheet Metal Fabrication, you should check out this site. You don't need to look far, it is right here. Whether small or macro project, this company can deliver a quality order.

Birds on the Fence

I was lounging in the gazebo just enjoying the breeze when this blue bird came by and hopped on the fence. This is not the first time that I saw this bird in our yard.

Another bird is on the electrical wire, observing everyone below including me LOL.

Here is the blue bird again taking the throne of the gray bird.

In another day, I saw the blue bird in deep thought LOL. 

We have a bird bath and they love to swim on it especially right after I changed the water, clever huh. Next time, I will use my DSLR to get a good shot. Thanks for stopping by.

Stylish DVD Storage

My husband and I love to watch movies in the movie theater. We go for 3D because it is more thrilling to watch. At home, we have movie night complete with popcorn and some goodies to munch. We also visit the library and borrow a Stellar Movie and not only that, we also buy DVD. My husband has collected a bunch of DVD's for years but, we have no dvd storage.

When I was browsing for storage, I was glad that I found this unique dvd storage to house our dvd's. Isn't it stylish and a great work of art? It has 5 tiers and the design is truly beautiful for display. What do you think?

Best Realtor in Orlando

Finding the right home for your family is not easy at all. There will come a time that you will be in a dilemma whether to get a condo or a single family property type. If you want to avoid the hassle of maintaining your yard then, get the condo property. The HOA takes care all of those for you. The only downside is the space especially if you are used to having a bigger yard and family get-together.

The single family is the best option there is if you want privacy and bigger lots. Now, the hardest part is finding the great price in an awesome location. There are houses in the market that are immaculate but, don't get fooled by the looks. 

The location is the key for a successful venture of buying a property. You want your house to be in a safe neighborhood right? That way, your property value can only go up which is a great investment! 

Hire a knowledgeable realtor who is familiar in the neighborhood of your choice. Their suggestion is vital in the process of home buying. 

If you live in Orlando, Florida I recommend that you call MATT ABANILLA from La Rosa Realty. You can call him at 908-674-0999 or email him mabanilla@larosarealty.com . He is the best realtor there is and I can vouched for his hard work.

He sent me this great painting tips for the home and sharing it with you is my pleasure. Enjoy your DIY.

A Local Repair Company

In our household, the appliances are considered as essential for without them, chores would be time-consuming and overwhelming. Cooking, doing the dishes and the laundries are easy and fast to do with the help of the appliances. When appliance quit working, buying a new appliance is not the best option. To save money, just hire a reliable repair company.

If you have a Maytag washer and it quit working, a maytag washer repair man has the skills to fix it. If the appliance is broken, do not just let it sit in the corner. You need to hire a local repair man right away.  

Dreaming the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway 2013

Oh yeah, I am one of the hopefuls. Dreaming the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway for 2013 is truly my ultimate goal but, my chances as well as the others are slim. It is now in the hands of fate who will be the lucky winner this year. This house is super gorgeous and it's brand new now, who wouldn't want that for free? The tax will not be a problem because HGTV Dream Home Package includes $500,000 cash so; that will be enough to pay the taxes and other fees plus, there is a GMC brand new car. Whoever wins the fabulous giveaway can really have a fresh start of life huh?

If I win, I will move to this place and there's no holding us back because I work from home and hubby is retired. We might as well enjoy living a gorgeous house in a fabulous community. I probably can find work there too or maybe, start a day care business in the area.

I know I am not the only one dreaming to win this dream house package. My husband submit his daily entries religiously as well and he got his plans on what to do if ever he is the winner too. I know millions out there are praying to win too. I hope the angels in heaven favor my prayers :-) Good luck everyone! May the right person wins! How about you? Did you submit entries? What would you do if you win?

5 Tips To Beat The Coldest Class of Winter For Clarus Members

It’s that time of year again. Before you can cuddle up with your Valentine, January’s harsh drops in temperature can make the winter seem unbearable. Need some help keeping the cold outside? Don’t hide at home and bundle up in boring blankets. Even though you’re stuck in Seattle and can’t afford to take a vacation in San Diego, CA, there are many ways to feel the heat, cut down on heating costs and even have some fun. Here are a few helpful tips to keep you warm during the coldest time of this season:

1. Dress in layers. Here’s your chance to show off that new hat or sweater you got for Christmas! Adding layers to every outfit is an easy go to for quick warmth in the chilly winter weather. Do it in style with fashionable accessories. Make old, neutral colored jackets and coats come alive with patterned scarves or gloves with pops of color. The head, chest, and face are extremely sensitive to temperature change, so cover up! Tired of ears turning red and numb while listening to your favorite song? Accessorize by buying ear muffs or cozy hats with built in headphones. Not too crazy about spending? Consider this insider’s hint: shop online and find clubs or sites that offer free shipping rebates. Websites like those owned by Clarus Marketing Group offer up to 20% off on fashion items through coupon codes and discounts. Not only will you save cash, you won’t even have to go out in the bitter cold to get what you need, it will be delivered right to your doorstep for free!

2. Turn up the space heater and lower the bills. People often head straight for the thermostat, but heating up the immediate space surrounding your body first (instead of the entire house or apartment) can save a ton of energy and money. If you’re struggling to keep your hands off the thermostat, consider getting a programmable edition that can lower the heat when you’re sleeping or not home. This will decrease the daily percentage of heat used in the home and subsequently lower your energy costs).

3. Don’t hesitate to bundle up even indoors. Insulating clothes keep the heat – and your money – from escaping your body. Your feet are also sensitive to severe weather changes. A chilly floor (whether it’s bathroom tiles or hardwood) can change the way your body feels in a matter of seconds. Learn to love socks – wearing them can make a huge difference! When going out, add an insulated insole or foam lining to your boots to keep your feet toasty. You can easily find these items for sale anywhere during winter but if you are too cold and lazy to go to the store and get them, why don’t you just order them online? Make sure to use coupon codes while you’re at it – you can probably even save up to $15 off and get free shipping.

4. Healthy alternatives to heat you up. The cold weather provides plenty of opportunities to work on that New Year’s resolution you seem to always forget: losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is one of the easiest ways to boost up your body heat and keep that promise of going to the gym. Don't sit still for too long. Keep moving! The winter can easily turn sour if you get sick or depressed. Make sure you get the proper amount of water, vitamins, social activity, and sunshine daily to keep you going strong. Hungry for a hearty snack? Foods high in legitimate, healthy fat (like nuts and avocados) can help regulate core body temperature and promote a well balanced diet with plenty of nutrition.

5. Keep cozy in the kitchen. Looking for a low key night without the wind chill? Have some fun even if you settle on staying in on a weekend. Invite some friends and family over for a casual get together. Hang out in your kitchen and kick the heat up by using the oven. Bake a tasty snack (in fairness, who can say no to cookies?) or a simple meal to heat up the house without hearing the thermostat – and the bills – go up. Serve a warm beverage, like hot chocolate (coffee or tea, if your guests are craving some caffeine) to raise your body temperature while you wait for the timer to go off.

Whether you’re staying in or going out for the night, there are plenty of ways to stay warm without breaking the bank in 2013. Don’t let winter scam you out of enjoying time with friends and family. Follow these tips and you’ll surely notice a difference!

Poinsettia, Dew and Childhood Memories

Summertime when I was little, my mom would send me to the province to have a vacation with my uncles and cousins. I remember that I was an early riser because I love to watch the sunrise. My uncle lives in Bukidnon, Philippines and this place is fabulous. Cool weather, fresh air, farm lands and beautiful scenic view. In the morning, my cousins and I love to hang out in the yard. My inquisitive minds would start to wander around the area fascinated with everything such as insects, plants, and yeah, including the grasses and the dew. I live in the city so; these stuffs are fascinating. I would touch the grass and the dew would make my hands wet. Dew is water in the form of droplets. Seeing my poinsettia with dew brings back my childhood memories.

I bought Poinsettia as Christmas decoration and when the holiday is over, I planted them in the backyard. I always love this plant. Did you know that in Mexico this plant is called "Noche Buena", meaning Christmas Eve? They have a legend about a young girl who was too poor to give a present for Jesus birthday. She was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in the altar. The seeds sprouted and blossoms which now called as poinsettias. What a nice story huh? They said that the star-shaped leaf pattern symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem, and the red color represents the blood sacrifice through the crucifixion of Jesus. I read it online that here in the US, December 12 is National Poinsettia Day. Interesting isn’t it?

Green Apple Cutter: Handy Kitchen Helper

Some tasks at home look deceiving! There are times we thought it is easy to do but, it ends up time consuming. Cutting apples is tricky and we don't want it especially when we are in a hurry for work. I love eating apples but sometimes it is inconvenient to prepare. I prefer berries and grapes because I don't have to do anything but rinse them thoroughly. With apples, I need to cut them in slices but, I am too lazy to do all that especially when I am in a hurry. But, look what I found!

I saw this kitchen lil helper at IKEA Home Store and it is very affordable. Every mom should have this for prep convenience. It is easy and safe to use. The apple cuts are perfect, clean and most of all, quick! I told my mom that I will buy one for her too. I only bought this for less than $5. I did check online and some prices are way up to $30.

Cutting apples in seconds is totally convenient! The middle part is separated when you use this tool so; nothing to trim after. There is no mess at all. Check it out in IKEA.

Make sure that when you visit the fruit section, you pick the medium size apples. I bought an extra-large apple one time and it doesn't fit (*o*). If you love gigantic apples, you need a larger apple cutter. In IKEA, I only saw a one size apple cutter but, this tool is all you need really.

Well, after seeing this kitchen tool, would you rather use a knife to cut apples or spend $5 bucks?  The next time you visit IKEA, get this apple cutter and thank me later. Thanks for stopping by.